US6207086B1 - Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices Download PDF

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Publication number
US6207086B1
US6207086B1 US09/252,307 US25230799A US6207086B1 US 6207086 B1 US6207086 B1 US 6207086B1 US 25230799 A US25230799 A US 25230799A US 6207086 B1 US6207086 B1 US 6207086B1
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United States
Prior art keywords
fluid
tray
ophthalmic
impurities
supporting members
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
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US09/252,307
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English (en)
Inventor
Mark E. Schlagel
Darren S. Keene
Ture Kindt-Larsen
Wallace Anthony Martin
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Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
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Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
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First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=22955473&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US6207086(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc filed Critical Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
Priority to US09/252,307 priority Critical patent/US6207086B1/en
Assigned to JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION PRODUCTS, INC. reassignment JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION PRODUCTS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KINDT-LARSEN, TURE, MARTIN, WALLACE ANTHONY, SCHLAGEL, MARK E., KEENE, DARREN S.
Priority to CA002298767A priority patent/CA2298767C/fr
Priority to JP2000040182A priority patent/JP4554019B2/ja
Priority to EP00301249A priority patent/EP1029654A3/fr
Priority to SG200000858A priority patent/SG97847A1/en
Priority to KR1020000007470A priority patent/KR100651618B1/ko
Priority to ARP000100683A priority patent/AR022622A1/es
Priority to BRPI0000695-5A priority patent/BRPI0000695B1/pt
Priority to CNB001022741A priority patent/CN1153085C/zh
Priority to AU17573/00A priority patent/AU761862B2/en
Priority to TW089102765A priority patent/TW548443B/zh
Priority to US09/818,725 priority patent/US6695988B1/en
Publication of US6207086B1 publication Critical patent/US6207086B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
    • B29D11/00009—Production of simple or compound lenses
    • B29D11/00038—Production of contact lenses
    • B29D11/00125—Auxiliary operations, e.g. removing oxygen from the mould, conveying moulds from a storage to the production line in an inert atmosphere
    • B29D11/0023—Transferring contact lenses
    • B29D11/0024—Transferring contact lenses using a vacuum suction gripper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B11/00—Cleaning flexible or delicate articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
    • B08B11/02—Devices for holding articles during cleaning
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C71/0009—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor using liquids, e.g. solvents, swelling agents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
    • B29D11/00009—Production of simple or compound lenses
    • B29D11/00038—Production of contact lenses
    • B29D11/00067—Hydrating contact lenses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
    • B29D11/00009—Production of simple or compound lenses
    • B29D11/00038—Production of contact lenses
    • B29D11/00125—Auxiliary operations, e.g. removing oxygen from the mould, conveying moulds from a storage to the production line in an inert atmosphere
    • B29D11/0025—Removing impurities from contact lenses, e.g. leaching
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S134/00—Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
    • Y10S134/901—Contact lens

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices.
  • each lens is formed by molding a reactive mixture in a lens mold, typically between a front curve (lower mold section) and back curve (upper mold section).
  • the monomer injected in the molds is polymerized, thus forming a lens.
  • the lens is typically subjected to a hydration bath, and then to multiple leaching steps which remove processing chemicals (leachable diluents and monomers) from the lens.
  • the hydration bath removes the lenses from the front curve mold. Once demolded, the lens are advanced into a multi-step washing phase and then the lenses, while still wet, are removed from the washing phase and are packaged for consumer use.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,080,839 and 5,094,609 disclose, respectively, a process for hydrating and washing contact lenses and a chamber for washing the contact lenses formed with a monomer or monomer mixtures of the type disclosed in the foregoing patents.
  • the process disclosed in these patents was a significant advance; however, the transfer of lenses from the hydration phase to the washing step and the associated handling of the lenses resulted in the loss of some lenses. Plus, washing required large amounts of water and occurred in multiple soaking steps.
  • the chamber holding the contact lens was filled with water, then after the contact lens and H 2 O reached equilibrium, the chamber was emptied and the steps were repeated.
  • a hydration and/or washing, e.g. diluent removal, apparatus and process in which a plurality of device supporting members are provided preferably having one or more cavities each for containing an ophthalmic device, such as a contact lens and/or lens mold and/or reusable lens mold.
  • the ophthalmic devices are arranged so that the hydration or cleansing fluid flows or is directed from contacting cleaner ophthalmic devices to contacting dirtier ophthalmic devices.
  • the device supporting members can be arranged in any configuration so that the hydration or cleansing fluid contacts cleaner and then dirtier ophthalmic devices.
  • the device supporting members can be arranged vertically: in-line like a column or like a stair-case, horizontally, helically or combinations of the above.
  • the fluid could flow horizontally from ophthalmic device to ophthalmic device on a first level of one or more device supporting members arranged horizontally and then flow vertically down and across to a second level of one or more device supporting members located beneath the first level, and then flow to a third level, etc.
  • ophthalmic devices can be moved within a column in which the water falls like rain, or in a horizontal pipe through which a stream of fluid is pumped.
  • the arrangement is at least partially vertical so that the hydration or cleansing fluid moves under gravity and does not have to be pumped.
  • the hydration or cleansing fluid can be directed to move in a single stream from the cleanest ophthalmic device to the dirtiest ophthalmic device in the apparatus.
  • the fluid can be directed to move in multiple streams from one or more of the cleanest ophthalmic devices to one or more of the dirtiest ophthalmic devices in the apparatus.
  • the flow of fluid can be across ophthalmic devices and device supporting members or it can be through or both across and through the device supporting members.
  • multiple streams of the hydration or cleansing fluid can be directed to flow onto and across only ophthalmic devices in particular locations from clean to dirty ophthalmic devices in the apparatus.
  • the fluid flows across the device supporting members. If desired, additional fluid can be injected at one or more locations in the apparatus.
  • the cleanest ophthalmic devices from the apparatus are removed at or near, that is in the vicinity of the input of clean hydration or cleansing fluid into the apparatus, and dirty ophthalmic devices are inserted into the apparatus preferably just before or in the vicinity of where the dirtiest hydration or cleansing fluid exits the apparatus.
  • the preferred hydration and/or washing apparatus and process comprises trays as the device supporting members.
  • the device supporting members can have any configuration, which provides protection for and maintains the ophthalmic device but allows fluid to flow to, and around or over the ophthalmic device in or on the device supporting member, and then allows the fluid to flow out of the device supporting member.
  • Other examples of device supporting members include a plastic cage, bowl, or the hydration and washing chambers for contact lenses used and disclosed in the prior art. It is further preferred that the device supporting member can be easily moved through the apparatus countercurrent to the flow of the fluid.
  • the device supporting member is a lens supporting member, and the preferred lens supporting member is a tray.
  • the preferred trays have a plurality of cavities each for containing an ophthalmic device, and preferably for containing a front curve mold with a contact lens in the mold.
  • the following description will focus on the preferred embodiment involving the washing and hydration of contact lenses; however, other devices, particularly other ophthalmic devices may be substituted for the contact lenses in the description.
  • the trays are stacked vertically with the cavities (and lenses) in columns.
  • the hydration or cleansing fluid for example, de-ionized (DI) water
  • DI de-ionized
  • the fluid injected in each cavity flows downwardly through the stack of cavities of the column to wash over the lenses preferably in the front curve molds in the trays below the point where the fluid is injected.
  • additional fluid also can be injected at one or more lower trays in the stack.
  • a tray is inserted at the stack bottom, the stack is raised, and the uppermost tray in the stack is removed. The addition and removal of trays to the stack is carried out in a step-wise manner.
  • the fluid flows downwardly in the apparatus and the trays with lenses move progressively upward.
  • a vertical configuration is preferred, because the fluid flows down; however, other configurations, including horizontal, in which the fluid is pumped can be used.
  • the fluid flows from cleaner to dirtier lenses, it picks up the impurities from the lenses.
  • the lenses move toward the inlet of clean fluid, they have fewer impurities.
  • the concentration of impurities in the fluid is always less than the concentration of impurities in the lenses which it is contacting.
  • a method for hydrating or washing ophthalmic devices includes the steps of applying to an ophthalmic device, which has a higher concentration of impurities, a fluid which has previously been applied to ophthalmic devices having a lower concentration of impurities, said fluid having previously been applied to ophthalmic devices having an even lower concentration of impurities. At least a portion of the same fluid preferably is applied to at least 10, more preferably at least 25 ophthalmic devices, e.g. contact lenses, which have substantially sequentially increasing amounts of impurities.
  • lenses having high concentrations of impurities can be lenses having greater than 10,000 ppm, or even greater than 100,000 ppm diluent or other impurities in the lens, and lenses having low concentrations of impurities can be lenses having less than 10 ppm, more preferably less than 1 ppm diluent or other impurities in the lens.
  • the same fluid, or at least a portion of the same fluid, which is applied to contact lenses having a low concentration of impurities is later applied to contact lenses having a high concentration of impurities.
  • the contact lenses move countercurrently to the fluid, and/or (preferably and) the fluid moves countercurrently to the lenses.
  • the flow of the fluid is directed from lenses having lower concentrations of impurities to lenses having higher concentrations of impurities, such that the amount of impurities in the fluid increases as the fluid is directed at contact lenses having increasing amounts of impurities.
  • concentration of impurities in the fluid is such that, a concentration gradient between the level of impurities in the fluid and the lenses is substantially maintained, such that impurities substantially continuously or successively, for example, in stages e.g. at the different levels in the stack, move into the fluid from the cleaner contact lenses and then from the contact lenses having increasingly higher levels of impurities.
  • the impurities move substantially continuously from the contact lenses into the fluid.
  • the contact lenses enter the apparatus of this invention with a high concentration of impurities and are preferably subjected to increasingly cleaner fluid as the contact lenses become increasingly cleaner.
  • the lenses having the lowest concentration of impurities of any lenses contacting any fluid in this method have clean, preferably the cleanest, fluid directed at them.
  • the lenses move in stages and the fluid flows continuously or semi-continuously, e.g. in pulses of fluid, countercurrently relative to the movement of the lenses; however, the lenses could also move continuously or semi-continuously countercurrently relative to the movement of the fluid, or both.
  • the lenses are preferably contained in lens supporting members.
  • the lenses are in trays, with the trays arranged in a vertical stack.
  • each tray Preferably there are multiple lenses in each tray; however, the trays can be made to hold individual lenses.
  • concentration of impurities in the lenses in the vertically arranged trays decreases as the lenses advance toward the top of the stack.
  • the fluid is clean at the top of the stack and exits at the bottom of the stack with a high concentration of impurities.
  • a hydrating or washing method includes the steps of vertically arranging, e.g. stacking, a plurality of device supporting members each having a cavity containing an ophthalmic device, and injecting a fluid into the cavity of an upper device supporting member, the fluid flowing downwardly through the cavities.
  • the downward flow of fluid is directed to a lens contained in the cavity of a lower tray in a stack of trays.
  • the trays can be aligned above one another to define a flow path therebetween.
  • an apparatus for hydrating or washing contact lenses includes a means for applying fluid to a lens having a low concentration of impurities, and a means for directing the applied fluid to further lenses which have a comparatively higher concentration of impurities.
  • a hydrating or washing apparatus for contact lenses includes a plurality of trays each containing a lens, wherein the trays are vertically stacked, with the cavities arranged in a vertical column. Each cavity has an opening which permits fluid to flow to the cavity of a next lower tray in the stack to thereby wash the lens therein.
  • the apparatus further has an injection passage into which the fluid is injected into the cavity to thereby flow into the opening and to the cavities of lower trays in the vertical column.
  • a further object is to provide a contact lens hydration and/or washing method and apparatus in which the lenses are stacked vertically in trays which are moved upwardly, and a fluid flows downwardly in the tray stack to successively wash the lenses in the lower trays of the stack.
  • the fluid may be introduced at the top of the stack or fresh fluid or a different fluid composition may be introduced at various points in the process and method.
  • An additional object is to provide a method and apparatus for efficiently washing ophthalmic devices in an apparatus in which the fluid cascades downwardly over the ophthalmic device.
  • Yet a further object is to hydrate and was ophthalmic devices stacked vertically in a column using the same fluid.
  • Still a further object is to reduce the amount of water consumed during a hydration and/or washing phase.
  • Yet another object is to increase the rate of diffusion during a hydration and/or washing phase.
  • Still another object is to reduce the amount of lens handling as the lenses are brought to and removed from the hydration phase.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational end view of a portion of a hydration apparatus according to the invention, with the end wall partially broken away to reveal a sectional view of a plurality of lens supporting trays therein;
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a tray which is conveyed through the apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a top chamber insert which may be used in the present invention, taken along line 3 — 3 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 — 4 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the top chamber insert.
  • the hydration apparatus 10 has a frame 12 within which are stacked vertically a plurality of trays 20 made of a suitable material, such as plastic. Three such trays 20 - 1 , 20 - 2 , 20 -n are illustratively shown. In a typical application, there can be as many trays as needed, preferably between thirty and fifty trays stacked one above or on top of another.
  • FIG. 2 shows a sectional, top view of a portion of one of the trays 20 .
  • the tray 20 is divided into an array of effective cavities 29 , preferably 2 ⁇ 8, i.e., two wide and eight long. These cavities are preferably bored through a solid plastic tray material. Each cavity 29 is preferably generally funnel-shaped through the tray with a wider opening where the lens 24 is held.
  • a lens support 25 of plastic or other suitable material is supported by (that is, placed in, attached to, or is an integral part of the tray) the tray within each cavity 29 of the tray 20 .
  • the preferred lens support 25 is a separate plastic piece which fits into the top of the cavity 29 .
  • the lens support 25 is a circular aperture, or concave recess which supports a front curve mold 22 into which a lens 24 may be disposed.
  • the lens can be supported in the lens support 25 without the front curve mold 22 .
  • the lens support 25 could have an alternative shape such as a bowl or cage.
  • a flow port 31 having a wide mouth provides access to a narrower fluid injection passage 32 which connects to the central portion 28 of the cavity 29 , preferably below the lens support 25 .
  • the fluid injection passage 32 is preferably cylindrical in shape.
  • a filter screen 36 is disposed within the cavity 29 in register with and below the lens support 25 .
  • the filter screen 36 catches any debris that may wash off the lens or front curve mold 22 to prevent blockage of the orifice 46 in the top chamber insert 38 .
  • the bottom end of one cavity 29 communicates with top chamber insert 38 .
  • the top chamber insert 38 is preferably a separately machined or molded plastic piece which is attached to the bottom of each cavity 29 . In the preferred embodiment in a vertical stack of trays, the top chamber insert 38 of each tray, except the lowermost tray, is located above each lens support 25 carried by the tray directly below the top chamber insert 38 .
  • the top chamber insert 38 comprises an annular ring 50 from which extends a plurality of spaced fingers 42 defining openings 48 .
  • the top chamber insert 38 is located directly over the front curve mold 22 and lens 24 .
  • the top chamber insert 38 has a preferably convex central area 44 .
  • the top chamber insert 38 further comprises a tapered channel 47 , and a central orifice 46 which direct fluid to the lens 24 in the tray 20 below. The fluid flows out of the central orifice 46 over the lens 24 through the openings 48 between the spaced fingers 42 and into the passages 21 adjacent to and below the lens 24 .
  • the chamber insert 38 prevents the lens 24 from being washed out of the front curve mold 22 and lens support 25 while directing the flow of fluid, and thereby protects the lens 24 and the front curve mold 22 .
  • the trays are preferably stacked one above the other to form one or more vertical columns of lens cavities.
  • each cavity 29 of a tray 20 is physically isolated from the other cavities 29 of the same tray 20 .
  • the fluid flows in each vertical column of cavities from the top tray to the bottom tray. That is, for example, fluid injected into the cavity 29 via the flow port 31 and the injection passage 32 of the top tray 20 - 1 flows down in the column of cavities following the flow path shown by the arrows F in each cavity 29 of trays 20 - 1 , 20 - 2 and 20 -n.
  • fluid may be introduced to the cavities of the top tray 20 - 1 onto the lens or via flow passages 21 .
  • the fluid is directed to and flows generally downwardly from passages 21 and/or 32 into the cavity 29 .
  • the fluid flows through the central portion 28 , through the tapered channel 47 and the central orifice 46 of the top chamber insert 38 to the lens 24 , which may be seated in the front curve mold 22 , within the lens support 25 .
  • the convex central area 44 of the chamber insert 38 maintains both lens shape and lens position during the process.
  • the central orifice 46 of the top chamber insert 38 is in register with the lens 24 in the cavity 29 of each lower tray 20 in the vertical column of trays.
  • the fluid flows onto, over, and around the lens 24 , over the front curve mold 22 (if present), through one or more openings 48 in the top chamber insert 38 of the tray 20 above, through flow passage 21 , across the filter screen 36 through the central portion 28 of the cavity 29 and to and through the top chamber insert 38 of each cavity 29 .
  • the trays 20 are fed into the apparatus 10 from the bottom and removed from the top.
  • the stack of trays are indexed up when a new tray is inserted at the bottom and lifted into the stack, at the same time one tray is removed from the top of the stack.
  • these actions are controlled by mechanically driven devices and latches, together which lift and index up the stack of trays.
  • Support and proper placement of the trays in the stack is preferably aided by a structure or tray shape, e.g. an undercut 27 on the top of each tray which fits into a complementary structure or shape, e.g. a lip 26 on the bottom of each tray.
  • the tray 20 is introduced into the bottom of the stack.
  • the stack of trays are supported by multiple latches 33 attached to the frame 12 located below the lowermost tray 20 -n.
  • Beneath the lowermost tray 20 -n supported by latch 33 is a space for insertion of a tray 20 -S shown in phantom lines.
  • Beneath the space 20 -S is an elevator type mechanism illustrated by the arrows E. Once tray 20 -S is properly located beneath tray 20 -n, the elevator mechanism E moves the tray into the stack, indexing the stack up one position.
  • Tray 20 -n will move into the level in which tray 20 -n is shown and the top tray shown as 20 - 1 is indexed up and disengaged from the stack via latches 23 which are attached to the frame 12 above the top of the stack.
  • the disengaged tray which carries lenses which have completed the hydrating and/or washing process can then be removed from the apparatus 10 and placed into an area for further processing, such as packaging.
  • the latches are preferably attached to the frame and are preferably spring-loaded latches which support the bottom tray and the tray removed from the stack.
  • the latches are actuated by the elevator which raises the stack of trays above the spring-loaded latches and then the stack is lowered down onto the latches.
  • latches can be located on the trays with openings or cogs in the frame 12 to support the stack of trays.
  • the latches are of the mechanical type, for example, the spring loaded type.
  • any suitable mechanism(s) can be used to support and move the trays 20 upwardly within the apparatus 10 .
  • fresh DI-water is used as the hydrating and leaching fluid and is directed as a pulsed stream into each fluid port 31 of the tray 20 at the top of the stack and flows through the fluid injection passages 32 of the top tray 20 - 1 . This occurs at a point below the lenses 22 in the top tray.
  • fluid can be added to the apparatus 10 by dripping it onto the top lens 24 in the top tray of the stack. The fluid flows through each cavity 29 in the stack as described earlier.
  • the DI-water cascades down the columns of cavities of the tray stack allowing the lenses 24 to absorb water for lens release from the front curve mold 22 , exchange the fluid for extraction of diluents (impurities), and/or hydrate or other processing of the lenses.
  • the lenses supported on each tray added to the stack will contain more impurities than the lenses supported on the last of the previously added trays, which moves up with the addition of another tray.
  • each tray rises up the stack it is subjected to further and additional hydrating and/or washing, and such tray will have undergone more hydrating/washing than a newly added tray.
  • the lenses on those trays will have experienced the same amount of hydration and/or washing.
  • the hydrating and/or washing solutions, solvents, fluids, liquids, gases, or vapors, which may contain surfactants or other processing aids are well referred to herein as fluids.
  • the fluid for the process is preferably heated in an on-line tank or heater and is preferably DI-water having a small amount of Tween-80, a surfactant.
  • the DI-water is delivered to the fluid port 31 of the top most tray by means of a manifold fed from insulated tubing (not shown) at a relatively high temperature, e.g. 85-95° C., but a temperature that does not affect the lens, and is monitored to ensure proper temperature and flow rate for processing control.
  • the high temperature increases the thermal energy and the diffusion rate, and minimizes processing time.
  • Water flowing out of the bottom of the stack is directed through a heat exchanger (not shown) to recover energy by heating incoming water and cooling the outflow before proceeding to a drain or recycle reservoir.
  • fluid also can be injected at the same time into one or more trays at lower levels.
  • the same fluid or some other fluid e.g. solvent can be injected at a lower tray, e.g., the next to lowest tray to wash the lenses in the lowest tray, which have the highest level of diluent or impurities on the lenses.
  • the fluid added at lower tray levels can replace or be in addition to the fluid from the upper trays.
  • lenses 24 disposed in the front curve molds 22 of a tray 20 enter the bottom of the stack and they are moved in a timed and stepped manner to the top of the stack.
  • cascading fluid from the upper stages removes the residual diluents, monomers and/or impurities from the lens 24 and/or releases the lens 24 from the mold 22 . This provides a counter-current leaching system.
  • DI-water fluid
  • lens release from the front curve mold 22 occurs substantially simultaneously with initial extraction of the leachables.
  • DI-water flow rates are controlled to ensure good displacement of the DI-water volume in each cavity. The flow rate is also critical to maintain a low temperature gradient down the stack.
  • Injected DI-water is fed from hypodermic tubes and may be continuous or pulsed (semi-continuous). Pulsed flow produced the lowest water consumption that still provided acceptable results.
  • a significant improvement in lens through-put and yield is obtained by minimizing the lens material handling.
  • the lenses or front curve molds
  • distilled water typically, about 125 to about 190 ml/minute is provided in pulsed or continuous flow to hydrate and clean approximately ninety lenses in one column of cavities traveling through the vertical hydrating stack.
  • This method and apparatus provide useable lenses in less than 10 minutes while using less than 40 ml of distilled water per lens.
  • the term “injected” refers to the introduction of a fluid to the apparatus, and includes fluid introduction under pressure, in a stream, droplets, continuous and intermittent flows, and fluid injected in the form of a vapor.
  • impurities refers to processing chemicals such as leachable diluents and monomers which are ordinarily washed away from a manufactured contact lens prior to packaging.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
US09/252,307 1999-02-18 1999-02-18 Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices Expired - Lifetime US6207086B1 (en)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/252,307 US6207086B1 (en) 1999-02-18 1999-02-18 Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices
CA002298767A CA2298767C (fr) 1999-02-18 2000-02-16 Methode et appareil pour laver ou mouiller le materiel ophtalmologique
EP00301249A EP1029654A3 (fr) 1999-02-18 2000-02-17 Procédé et dispositif pour laver ou hydrater des dispositifs ophtalmiques
KR1020000007470A KR100651618B1 (ko) 1999-02-18 2000-02-17 안과용 디바이스 세정 또는 수화 장치 및 방법
ARP000100683A AR022622A1 (es) 1999-02-18 2000-02-17 Metodo y aparato para lavado o hidratacion de dispositivos oftalmologicos.
SG200000858A SG97847A1 (en) 1999-02-18 2000-02-17 Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices
JP2000040182A JP4554019B2 (ja) 1999-02-18 2000-02-17 眼鏡装置の洗浄および水和処理のための方法および装置
BRPI0000695-5A BRPI0000695B1 (pt) 1999-02-18 2000-02-18 Processo e aparelho para a lavagem e a hidratação de dispositivos oftálmicos
AU17573/00A AU761862B2 (en) 1999-02-18 2000-02-18 Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices
CNB001022741A CN1153085C (zh) 1999-02-18 2000-02-18 眼用装置的洗涤或水合设备与方法
TW089102765A TW548443B (en) 1999-02-18 2000-03-29 Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices
US09/818,725 US6695988B1 (en) 1999-02-18 2001-03-27 Method and apparatus for washing or hydration of ophthalmic devices

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EP1693688A1 (fr) 2005-02-22 2006-08-23 Johson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. Traitement hydrogel
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US20070242219A1 (en) * 2006-02-08 2007-10-18 Diana Zanini Facilitating release of silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US20070296097A1 (en) * 2006-06-26 2007-12-27 Roger Biel Method and apparatus for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses
US20080103288A1 (en) * 2005-08-09 2008-05-01 Coopervision Inc. Contact lens extraction/hydration systems and methods of reprocessing fluids used therein
US20080258322A1 (en) * 2007-04-18 2008-10-23 Jay Scott Daulton Use of surfactants in extraction procedures for silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US20080257389A1 (en) * 2007-04-18 2008-10-23 Jay Scott Daulton Devices, assemblies, and methods for extracting extractable materials from polymerized biomedical devices
US20090145462A1 (en) * 2007-12-07 2009-06-11 Beebe Kevin D Maintaining an Ophthalmic Device in a Hydrated State
US7767070B2 (en) 2004-08-13 2010-08-03 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Processes for coating of objects
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US6432217B1 (en) * 1999-04-24 2002-08-13 Ocular Sciences, Inc Process for treatment of contact lenses
US6581761B1 (en) * 1999-11-02 2003-06-24 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Mesh tray assembly
US6558584B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2003-05-06 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Apparatus and method for handling an ophthalmic lens
US6347870B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-02-19 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Handling assembly for fluid processing of ophthalmic lenses
US6708397B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2004-03-23 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes
US20030041449A1 (en) * 2001-08-09 2003-03-06 Parnell Phillip K. Inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes
US20030031540A1 (en) * 2001-08-09 2003-02-13 Leavitt Richard W. System and method for intelligent lens transfer
US6836692B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2004-12-28 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. System and method for intelligent lens transfer
US20060100408A1 (en) * 2002-03-11 2006-05-11 Powell P M Method for forming contact lenses comprising therapeutic agents
US20030222362A1 (en) * 2002-03-28 2003-12-04 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Process for extracting biomedical devices
US20030203118A1 (en) * 2002-04-26 2003-10-30 Wickes Roger D. Oscillating dispersion apparatus, system, and method
US20040091613A1 (en) * 2002-11-13 2004-05-13 Wood Joe M. Methods for the extraction of contact lenses
US7767070B2 (en) 2004-08-13 2010-08-03 Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. Processes for coating of objects
EP1693688A1 (fr) 2005-02-22 2006-08-23 Johson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. Traitement hydrogel
US20060186564A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-24 Adams Jonathan P Hydrogel processing
US20110193247A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2011-08-11 Jonathan Patrick Adams Hydrogel processing
US7629436B2 (en) 2005-08-09 2009-12-08 CooperVision International Holding Compound, LP Contact lens extraction/hydration systems and methods of reprocessing fluids used therein
US20080103288A1 (en) * 2005-08-09 2008-05-01 Coopervision Inc. Contact lens extraction/hydration systems and methods of reprocessing fluids used therein
US20070132118A1 (en) * 2005-12-09 2007-06-14 Bausch And Lomb Incorporated Method and Apparatus for Treatment of a Device-in-Mold Assembly with a Supercritical Fluid
US20100230837A1 (en) * 2006-02-08 2010-09-16 Diana Zanini Release aids for releasing silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US20070242219A1 (en) * 2006-02-08 2007-10-18 Diana Zanini Facilitating release of silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US7789507B2 (en) 2006-02-08 2010-09-07 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Facilitating release of silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US9227746B2 (en) * 2006-06-26 2016-01-05 Novartis Ag Method and apparatus for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses
US20070296097A1 (en) * 2006-06-26 2007-12-27 Roger Biel Method and apparatus for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses
US7968018B2 (en) 2007-04-18 2011-06-28 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Use of surfactants in extraction procedures for silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US7811503B2 (en) 2007-04-18 2010-10-12 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Devices, assemblies, and methods for extracting extractable materials from polymerized biomedical devices
US20080257389A1 (en) * 2007-04-18 2008-10-23 Jay Scott Daulton Devices, assemblies, and methods for extracting extractable materials from polymerized biomedical devices
US20080258322A1 (en) * 2007-04-18 2008-10-23 Jay Scott Daulton Use of surfactants in extraction procedures for silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
US20090145462A1 (en) * 2007-12-07 2009-06-11 Beebe Kevin D Maintaining an Ophthalmic Device in a Hydrated State
US11173512B2 (en) * 2017-08-11 2021-11-16 General Electric Company Cleaning fixtures and methods of cleaning components using cleaning fixtures

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SG97847A1 (en) 2003-08-20
EP1029654A2 (fr) 2000-08-23
JP4554019B2 (ja) 2010-09-29
AU761862B2 (en) 2003-06-12
AU1757300A (en) 2000-08-24
EP1029654A3 (fr) 2002-09-04
CN1153085C (zh) 2004-06-09
JP2000267052A (ja) 2000-09-29
KR100651618B1 (ko) 2006-11-30
BRPI0000695B1 (pt) 2015-07-21
BR0000695A (pt) 2000-08-22
US6695988B1 (en) 2004-02-24
CA2298767A1 (fr) 2000-08-18
KR20010014487A (ko) 2001-02-26
CA2298767C (fr) 2007-08-07
CN1265473A (zh) 2000-09-06
TW548443B (en) 2003-08-21
AR022622A1 (es) 2002-09-04

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